Pick for mandolins, zithers, and similar stringed musical instruments.



J; GAYNOR.

PICK FOB MANDOLINS, ZITHERS, AND SIMILAR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28. 1911.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

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couuMBIA PLANDGRAPH CO-fvv'ASHINflTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH GAYNOR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PICK FOB MANDOLINS, ZITHERS, AND SIMILAR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH GAYNOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Pick for Mandolins, Zithers, and Similar Stringed Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a pick for stringed musical instruments which insures a firm grip and permits the notes to be readily emphasized.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is an inner view of a pick embodying my invention; Fig. 2 an outer view thereof, and Fig. 8 a longitudinal central section.

The pick is composed essentially of a resilient pointed blade 10 and of a rigid saucer shaped finger piece 11, connected thereto at its center by an eyelet 12. The finger piece which is adapted for accommodating the tip convex side with an outwardly turned fiange 13 that faces blade 10 and checks the defiection thereof. Blade 10 as well as finger piece 11 are apertured for the accommodation of the eyelet 12, the latter forming an air passage that communicates with the concavity of the finger piece. Aside from the connection furnished by the eyelet, the finger piece and blade are entirely disconnected from each other, so that the vibratile section of the blade extends normally from its point to the eyelet.

In use, the players thumb is placed with its tip into the finger piece and one of his fingers is placed against the blade at a suitable point along its operative length. As

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 28, 1911.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

Serial No. 641,079.

the thumb is pressed into the bowl of the finger piece, and the index finger is simultaneously advanced against the blade, the air is expelled from the bowl through the eyelet which is closed by the thumb and finger as soon as a firm rip has been obtained.

In this way the air 1s exhausted from the finger piece so that the firmness of the grip is increased by suction. By pressing the blade more or less firmly against the fiange 13 which constitutes an abutment for the blade, the length of the vibratile blade section may be varied, so that the stillness or softness of the pick is regulable and the sharpness of the notes sounded is accordingly under the full control of the player.

I claim:

1. A pick for stringed musical instruments, comprising a resilient blade, a rigid saucer shaped finger piece and an eyelet that connects the finger piece to the blade.

2. A pick for stringed musical instruments, comprising a resilient blade and a rigid saucer shaped finger piece secured thereto, and having an abutment on its convex side that faces the blade and is adapted to be engaged thereby.

3. A pick for stringed musical instruments, comprising a resilient blade and a saucer shaped finger piece secured thereto at its center, said finger piece having an outwardly turned flange which constitutes an abutment for the blade.

JOSEPH GAYNOR.

Witnesses:

FRANK v. BRIESEN, KATHERYNE KOCH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

